Wemo Smart Video Doorbell review: The new HomeKit doorbell of choice – AppleInsider
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This HomeKit Secure Video doorbell is the epitome of an Apple smart home device. Let’s take a close look at the just-announced Belkin Wemo Smart Video Doorbell.
Revealed during the annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Belkin has continued its push into HomeKit-first accessories.
The Belkin Wemo Smart Video Doorbell measures 4.9 inches tall and 1.7 inches wide. Many have questioned how thick the doorbell is, and it is marginally thicker than its closest competitor — the Logitech Circle View Wired Doorbell. The Wemo is 1.4 inches deep, while the Logitech is 1.1 inches. If you use the angled wedge plate, it does extend to 2.1 inches which is on the thick side.
It has a 4MP sensor that captures 1200×1600 video with a 178-degree field of view. It works exclusively with Apple HomeKit and supports HomeKit Secure Video, which means all cloud recordings are stored securely inside of iCloud.
Like most HomeKit doorbells, it connects over Wi-Fi and supports 2.4GHz and 5GHz connections. The doorbell also incorporates infrared enhanced night vision for low-light, motion detection, and two-way communication.
Belkin Wemo Smart Video Doorbell review – Installation
Most people won’t have any issues installing the Wemo doorbell. The doorbell only connects with a single pair of wires that shouldn’t pose a problem to even the most novice users. That said, if you are hesitant or are buying this as a gift, Belkin does offer a professionally installed version through OnTech — at a $99 fee, of course.
Connecting to your chime takes a little more tinkering, but in all, we knocked out our install in under 15 minutes.
If this is your first smart doorbell, you may need to use the included drill bit to drill pilot holes into your doorframe. The Wemo doorbell is slightly larger than a typical doorbell button and won’t fit into existing holes.
The back of the Wemo doorbell
With the power off, remove your existing doorbell or video doorbell. We then used a Philips screwdriver to secure the two wires into the mounting plate. With the wires connected, we then screwed the plate onto the wall.
The screws are long, lending towards a more secure install than the half-inch screws common on other devices. Optionally, you can install the wedge mount, which will angle the camera and fits on the left or the right.
Two spring pins are situated on the front of the plate and pressed into two contact points on the back of the doorbell. Slide the doorbell over the pin at the top and tighten the screw at the bottom.
The doorbell is held in place with a Torx screw rather than a Philips, which helps bolster the security. If you don’t have Torx drivers handy, there’s one included.
After the installation is complete, it’s time to turn to the HomeKit setup.
Belkin Wemo Smart Video Doorbell – HomeKit support
A sticker bearing your unique HomeKit pairing code is stuck on the camera’s back, which is easy to access but isn’t convenient during the setup process. You could plug the camera into a Micro USB cable and pair it before finishing the installation, or you can install it and scan the code on …….